Calling All Thespians! McGregor Hall to Hold ‘Into the Woods’ Auditions

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall

Stephen Sondheim’s Masterpiece “Into the Woods” is coming to McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center in early 2020 and will be directed by Mark Hopper.

Here is your chance to be a part of every musical theatre thespian’s dream show in a state-of-the-art theater with a live professional orchestra!

Auditions will be held onstage at McGregor Hall, 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. You may choose to audition on either Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. or Sunday, November 10 at 7 p.m. You may be asked to attend an additional callback audition on Tuesday, November 12, at 7 p.m.

A list of characters and vocal ranges is available by CLICKING HERE.

Rehearsals will begin in late December. Performances will be held on January 31 (daytime school field trip show) and February 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 2020.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND FOR AN AUDITION REGISTRATION FORM

SHP Identifies Trooper Struck In Vance County Crash

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— NCSHP Press Release

RALEIGH – The Highway Patrol continues to investigate a crash involving a state trooper who was hit by a vehicle on US 1 in Vance County. On Tuesday, October 22 at approximately 7:59 p.m., a 2012 Buick traveled off the roadway and struck the trooper from behind as he was conducting a traffic stop.

As a result of the crash, Trooper Craig I. Hundley, a 12-year veteran, assigned to Troop C, District 4 (Franklin County) was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

“Once again, we are reminded of the dangers our brave men and women face each day while keeping our communities safe”, said Colonel Glenn M. McNeill, Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “While I am very thankful for the overwhelming amount of support already received, I encourage everyone to continually uplift Trooper Hundley and his family as he begins the recovery process.”

The driver of the Buick, Justin O’Brien Venable, 32, of Henderson, has been charged with felony hit-and-run, felony violation of the move over law, DWI, careless and reckless driving and possession of an open container of an alcoholic beverage. Mr. Venable was transported to the Vance County Jail and placed under a $35,000 secured bond.

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News 10/23/19

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Trooper Injured During Traffic Stop 10-22-19

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According to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the NC Highway Patrol, on October 22, 2019 at approximately 7:59 p.m., a member of the State Highway Patrol was struck while conducting a traffic stop on US 1 in Vance County.  The involved member was in the process of conducting a traffic stop on US 1 northbound near Sunrock Road when he was struck while outside of his patrol vehicle.  A nearby trooper responded to the scene and immediately provided medical aid to the injured member.  The injured member was flown by helicopter to a nearby hospital and is in serious condition.  The driver that had struck the member has been taken into custody at this time.  Further details will be provided in a forthcoming release.

In addition to the press release information, WIZS News has learned the name of the injured trooper and that he primarily works in the Franklin County area.  Since the injured trooper’s name has not yet officially been released by the NCSHP, WIZS is waiting on releasing his name as well.

Also, charged in connection with this case is Justin O. Venable of the Thomas Road in the Williamsboro community, according to Vance County Sheriff Curtis Brame.  Brame said Venable was confined to the Vance County Jail under a $35,000 bond.  Venable faces charges of felony failure to move over, hit and run, DWI and possession of an open container.

Annual Show, Shine Event Draws Estimated 25,000 Visitors to Henderson

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The 18th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine event held in downtown Henderson this past Friday and Saturday featured over 450 cars, 20 Corbitt vehicles, two cruise-ins, four bands, two DJs, 44 vendors and an estimated 25,000 visitors, according to Vance County Tourism Director Pam Hester.

Henderson Mayor Eddie Ellington said, “This was another positive, progressive day for Henderson and a testament of teamwork at its best. For the streets of downtown to be full of thousands of people shows what we truly have to offer and we are looking forward to many more days like this in the future.”

Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce President Michele Burgess said, “It was just a great day to be in Vance County on Friday and Saturday. Our Chamber was busy leading up to the event answering phone calls from folks wanting to know names of hotels, hours of operation, if dogs were allowed and other similar type questions. For the first time, our Chamber and presenting sponsor Boyd Chevrolet helped to sponsor a band on the main stage at Breckenridge Street from 3 – 6 p.m. It was well-received, but the late afternoon cool temperatures and drizzle probably sent a few home early.

I personally met and talked with visitors from Mebane, NC, Richmond and Charlottesville, VA, and Darlington, SC who drove in to visit our town. Vance County Tourism had the event well organized and there were plenty of local volunteers who stepped up to help. It was just a fun day to enjoy meeting up with local neighbors and meeting new visitors.”

The Corbitt Preservation Association’s Tom Burleson told our Susan Rose of WIZS that 39 visitors came to the old Bennett Perry house at Church and Chestnut Street to visit the Corbitt Museum, a record for a single day.

In addition to a Corbitt car, which is the only one of its kind known of at this point, the association also had a rare Corbitt fire truck on display in front of NC’s oldest operating fire station in downtown Henderson.

You can join the Corbitt Preservation Association and see lots more by typing Corbitt into the search box on Facebook.

In a Facebook conversation between WIZS and listener Rosemarie Renn, Renn said, “It was a great day and a great event. Pam Hester, Norman Dickerson and everyone involved did a fantastic job. In fact, it was the best in 18 years because there were a variety of food vendors and other vendors, something for everyone instead of just car stuff like it was in the past.”

The 18th Annual Show, Shine, Shag & Dine event held in downtown Henderson featured over 450 cars, 20 Corbitt vehicles, two cruise-ins, four bands, two DJs, 44 vendors and an estimated 25,000 visitors. (WIZS photo)

The Corbitt Preservation Association displayed a rare Corbitt fire truck in front of NC’s oldest operating fire station in downtown Henderson. (WIZS photo)

The Corbitt Preservation Association displayed the body of a Corbitt automobile, recently found in Greensboro, NC, which is the only known one of its kind. (WIZS photo)

VGCC Dr. Levy Brown

VGCC’s Dr. Levy Brown Selected to Attend Prestigious Thomas Lakin Institute

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Dr. Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement & success at Vance-Granville Community College, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership presented by the Presidents’ Round Table.

Dr. Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement & success at Vance-Granville Community College, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership presented by the Presidents’ Round Table. (VGCC photo)

Dr. Levy Brown, a resident of Youngsville, North Carolina is responsible for leading and working collaboratively with faculty and staff in the areas of academic programs, teaching and learning, student success, student services, enrollment management, K-12 partnerships and other areas at the Vance-Granville.

Prior to joining Vance-Granville, he served as Dean of Arts and Sciences at Lenoir Community College located in Kinston, North Carolina. Brown has a Bachelor of Science in communication from East Carolina University, a Master of Library Science from North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina and an earned Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Higher Education Administration from East Carolina University.

Hosted October 20-25, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri, The Lakin Institute seeks African-American participants whose experience and credentials indicate they are ready to attain the highest academic positions. The program is an opportunity for open dialogue with chancellors, presidents, and CEOs. It covers all aspects of academic leadership.

More than 300 participants have attended The Lakin Leadership Mentoring Program since its inception in 1994. The Institute has the highest graduate placement rate of any leadership institute in the United States. It is named in honor of Dr. Thomas Lakin, former Chancellor of the Ventura County (CA) Community College District.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Town Talk 10/22/19: Hicks Teaches Students to Use ‘I Power’ to Combat Bullying

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Teresa Hicks, counselor at Carver Elementary School, was on Tuesday’s edition of Town Talk to continue WIZS’ weekly series in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. WIZS has featured local organizations involved in various aspects of domestic violence each Tuesday in October.

The focus of this week’s segment was on younger victims of domestic violence – elementary school children – and how exposure to violent situations increases the risks of bullying.

To combat bullying and to work on students’ self-esteem, Hicks developed a strategy she coined “I Power.” “I Power is a way to make a situation that could be negative, better,” Hicks explained. “It gives students a voice and allows them to advocate for themselves. I tell them to speak up and practice using your voice.”

The key is for students to become comfortable expressing their opinions and feelings in a respectful manner. Hicks said, “This can be as simple as saying ‘I like strawberry ice cream’ when someone else says they don’t like strawberry ice cream.”

Expressing their opinions on seemingly simple matters can give students the confidence needed to stand up for themselves in more serious situations, according to Hicks.

Hicks said she tells her K-5 students, who are often interested in superheroes, that “you can be a superhero too; use your own I Power.”

To hear the interview with Hicks in its entirety, please click the play button below. Listen live to WIZS’ Town Talk Monday-Friday at 11 a.m. on 1450AM, 100.1 FM or online at www.wizs.com.

NC Coop Extension

Pesticide Collection Day Scheduled for Warren, Surrounding Counties

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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties

NC Cooperative Extension will offer a Pesticide Collection Day for residents in Warren and surrounding counties on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the NC Cooperative Extension office located at 158 Rafters Ln. in Warrenton, NC.

NC Cooperative Extension will offer this service in collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The local site manager will be Matthew Place, Agricultural Extension Agent for Warren County.

Nearly all pesticide products will be accepted, including herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, etc. For liquid pesticide containers larger than 5 gallons or for unlabeled pesticides, please contact the NC Cooperative Extension office for information before bringing to the collection event. Although no gas cylinders will be accepted, assistance information can be provided.

For more information, contact Matthew Place at the NC Cooperative Extension office at (252) 257-3640.

U.S. Department of Justice

Dept. of Justice Awards $5 Million to Address NC School Violence

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-Press Release, U.S. Department of Justice

The Department of Justice announced it has awarded more than $85.3 million to bolster school security—including funding to educate and train students and faculty—and support first responders who arrive on the scene of a school shooting or other violent incident.

“These federal resources will help to prevent school violence and give our students the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive,’ said Attorney General William P. Barr. “By training faculty, students and first responders, and by improving school security measures, we can make schools and their communities safer.”

“Preventing violence in our schools is critical to the safety and security of all of our communities,” said Robert J. Higdon, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina. “These funds authorized by the Department of Justice will be used to better prepare school faculty, students and law enforcement to prevent, detect, and respond to security threats.”

The grants award more than $5 million in funding to prevent violence in schools in North Carolina. President Trump signed the STOP School Violence Act into law March 2018, authorizing grants that are designed to improve threat assessments, train students and faculty to provide tips and leads and prepare law enforcement officers and emergency professionals to respond to school shootings and other violent incidents.

The grant programs are managed by OJP’s Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance, within the Department’s Office of Justice Programs, and the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services manage the programs and administer the grants, which include funds to:

  • Develop school threat assessment teams and pursue technological solutions to improve reporting of suspicious activity in and around schools;
  • Implement or improve school safety measures, including coordination with law enforcement, as well as the use of metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrent measures;
  • Train law enforcement to help deter student violence against others and themselves;
  • Improve notification to first responders through the implementation of technology that expedites emergency notifications;
  • Develop and operate anonymous reporting systems to encourage safe reporting of potential school threats;
  • Train school officials to intervene when mentally ill individuals threaten school safety; and
  • Provide training and technical assistance to schools and other awardees in helping implement these programs.

For more details about these individual award programs, as well as listings of individual 2019 awardees, visit https://go.usa.gov/xVJuV.

News 10/22/19

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